Emulsifiers

Abstract

A non-hydrogenated, non-palm emulsifier composition comprises: at least 20% by weight monoglycerides; less than 60% by weight of diglycerides; and from 0-80% by weight triglycerides, wherein the weight % is with respect to the total of monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides, and wherein the fatty acid residues bound to the monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides in the emulsifier composition comprise: from 20% to 75% by weight stearic acid (C18:0); from 15% to 60% by weight oleic acid (C18:1); and from 1% to 10% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0), based on the total weight of C8 to C24 fatty acids. The composition is obtainable by a method comprising the reaction of a fat with glycerol in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A non-hydrogenated, non-palm emulsifier composition comprising:
 20% to 30% by weight monoglycerides; 
 40% to 50% by weight of diglycerides; and 
 from 15% to 30% by weight triglycerides, 
 wherein the weight % is with respect to the total of the monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides, and 
 wherein fatty acid residues bound to the monoglycerides, diglycerides and triglycerides in the emulsifier composition comprise: 
 from 20% to 40% by weight stearic acid (C18:0); 
 from 40% to 60% by weight oleic acid (C18:1); and 
 from 1% to 10% by weight palmitic acid (C16:0), 
 based on the total weight of C8 to C24 fatty acids, 
 and wherein the composition is obtained by a method comprising the reaction of a fat with glycerol in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst, 
 and the fat is from at least one non-palm source, wherein the non-palm source comprises shea olein, sal olein or combinations thereof. 
 
     
     
       2. The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the enzymatic catalyst is a lipase. 
     
     
       3. The composition according to  claim 1 , comprising from 1% to 12% by weight linoleic acid (C18:2). 
     
     
       4. The composition according to  claim 1 , comprising from 1% to 10% by weight linoleic acid (C18:2). 
     
     
       5. The composition according to  claim 1 , comprising from 1% to 8% by weight palmitic acid. 
     
     
       6. A food product comprising the composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       7. The food product according to  claim 6 , wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of puff pastry, cake, Danish rolls and water-based fillings. 
     
     
       8. A method for preparing the emulsifier composition according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 providing a fat comprising triglycerides wherein the fat is selected from shea olein, sal olein, and mixtures thereof, and 
 reacting the fat with glycerol in a glycerolysis reaction in the presence of an enzymatic catalyst.